Argument over a beer leads to murder

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Eric Contreras

TACOMA — An argument over a beer ended in a deadly shooting in Puyallup, according to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.

Eric Contreras, 22, is charged with murder for allegedly shooting 21-year-old Victor Zaldivar in the chest at a party.

Prosecutors say several men claiming to be members of the ‘Playboyz’ street gang were at a party on 40th Avenue East in Puyallup Saturday night. One of them asked the victim for a beer, and he refused.

The gang members laid in wait for the him to leave the party, and confronted him. That’s when police say Contreras pushed Zaldivar to the ground, then pulled out a gun and shot him.

Prosecutors say Contreras then went home, did a load of laundry, and went on the run. He hasn’t shown up to work all week. They say he’s armed and dangerous and they’re asking anyone who’s seen him to call police.

Guest

What do you expect for the west side of the state? You Liberals allow this kind of trash to populate your cities. You sleep with dogs you get fleas. Keep restricting and hobbling your police and passing laws allowing drugs and it will get worse.
Liberals are mentally ill walking people.

Kimberly

Guest

It is time to be preemptive towards these type of dangerous criminal organizations… If someone is known to be in a gang or hanging out with known gang members they get a friendly warning about leaving that lifestyle and potential negative behaviors behind… If they don't head the warning they will be arrested, flown out over the ocean on a military plane and pushed out… Very clear and simple with an opportunity to change…

Guest

It's much harder than you think to just leave a gang… Most of those guys get in as kids without realizing the full extent of the consequences. Don't judge. Some of those guys are good people despite their pasts. Everyone makes mistakes.